When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been...Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

The last 100 years, a century in which more of Your people have paid the ultimate witness than in any 100 year period in the history of the faith. How much longer, LORD, until Your plan is complete? Give me the strength and will to be as true to You as those thousands who have gone before if I am called to do likewise.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 95

Mid-day: 119:41-48

Evening: Psalm 21

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.